South Africa’s women’s football head coach, Desiree Ellis, has predicted a bright future for Dimakatso Ntsiane, goalkeeper of Ixias FC, team of the Welkom campus of the Central University of Technology (CUT), Free State.
This is based on the gutsy goal stopper’s sterling form, which saw her making match-winning saves in the Sasol National League promotion play-offs held in Bloemfontein from 17 to 22 October.
Ntsiane (18) was rewarded with R1 500 for her superb performance and was the only goalkeeper among the players considered for prizes for best performance.
Ellis heaped praise on the keeper from Wesselsbron in the Free State, saying it heralds the start of a bright future.
With her impressive form, Ntsiane raised her hand for a possible call-up to the national junior team, with the ultimate call being for the Banyana Banyana senior side.
“Her performance in the goals impressed me. She has a bright future and great potential to make it to another level in the South African women’s league,” said Ellis, who watched the players of the nine competing clubs, scouting players to potentially draft them into the senior women’s team.
“Her reading of the game, positioning, and making great saves to deny the opponents from scoring was very encouraging. It was just remarkable to see an upcoming goalkeeper perform at that level against experienced ones at the tournament.
“Her ability to guard the goalposts, being able to command her defence under pressure, makes her a special talent. Finding talented goalkeepers of her stature is a big challenge in South Africa.”
Ellis presents cheque to Dimakatso.
While goalkeepers tend to improve as they age to become a great backstop for their club, Ellis believes that Ntsiane is already on the path to greatness.
“With more training on the basics of goalkeeping, I believe Ntsiane will be one of the top goalkeepers to watch in the country very soon.”
Ntsiane shed tears of joy when Ellis presented her with the prize for best performer against Ramatlaohle FC. The rapidly rising keeper said she was scouted by Ixias during friendly matches while playing for the Juventus women’s team, which is based in her home town.
“Ixias immediately arranged I relocate to Welkom to play for them while continuing with school. I was a benchwarmer at my former club, but I am contesting for first choice at Ixias,” said Ntsiane.
Dimakatso celebrate winning prize of the best performer with teammates.
However, her side Ixias failed second time in its bid to gain promotion to the country’s top league, Hollywoodbets Super League. The team was eliminated in the group stage of the promotion playoffs, as was the case in 2021. This year the outfit managed just one draw against Limpopo-based Ramatlaohle, losing 0-3 to the University of Western Cape in the group stage. Clubs are required to win at least three crucial matches to secure one of only two slots in the top rank of the which features 16 teams. Of these important fixtures, two are in the group stage and one in the semifinal.
